Abstract
Background: This study sought to test the distinctiveness of symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and target exploratory factor analysis (EFA), were used to test the distinctiveness of PGD from PTSD and depression symptoms in a large sample of adults bereaved for at least six months (N = 1,917). Identified factors were explored in relation to demographic (i.e., age, gender) and loss-related (i.e., time since bereavement, nature of death, relationship to deceased, age of deceased, and frequency of contact with deceased) correlates.
Results: The CFA model provided a good fit to the data, while the target EFA provided a slightly improved fit. All items loading strongly and significantly onto their respectively factors, and the IGQ items had few significant cross-factor loadings. All demographic and loss-related variables (except for death of a sibling and death from other causes) were associated with each of the factors, however, these associations were strongest for the PGD factor.
Limitations: Participants were recruited using a non-probability sampling method and were from a relatively affluent Western nation.
Conclusion: Findings from the current study demonstrate that PGD reflects an empirically distinguishable albeit related disorder to PTSD and depression in a sample of bereaved adults. The identification of correlates common to PGD, PTSD, and depression, as well as those unique to PGD, affords a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors associated with bereavement-related psychopathology.
Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and target exploratory factor analysis (EFA), were used to test the distinctiveness of PGD from PTSD and depression symptoms in a large sample of adults bereaved for at least six months (N = 1,917). Identified factors were explored in relation to demographic (i.e., age, gender) and loss-related (i.e., time since bereavement, nature of death, relationship to deceased, age of deceased, and frequency of contact with deceased) correlates.
Results: The CFA model provided a good fit to the data, while the target EFA provided a slightly improved fit. All items loading strongly and significantly onto their respectively factors, and the IGQ items had few significant cross-factor loadings. All demographic and loss-related variables (except for death of a sibling and death from other causes) were associated with each of the factors, however, these associations were strongest for the PGD factor.
Limitations: Participants were recruited using a non-probability sampling method and were from a relatively affluent Western nation.
Conclusion: Findings from the current study demonstrate that PGD reflects an empirically distinguishable albeit related disorder to PTSD and depression in a sample of bereaved adults. The identification of correlates common to PGD, PTSD, and depression, as well as those unique to PGD, affords a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors associated with bereavement-related psychopathology.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 214-220 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Affective Disorders |
Volume | 363 |
Early online date | 22 Jul 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published online - 22 Jul 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 The Author(s)
Keywords
- Prolonged Grief Disorder; Depression; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Depression
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Prolonged grief disorder